And if everyday objects turn into a means of payment?

After launching a series of tests last summer aiming to allow to make a payment via a selfie, MasterCard goes further by planning to acquire many payment capabilities gadgets and everyday items. The program will begin early in 2016 in the United States.

The Internet connected accessories multiply. Mastercard wants to take advantage of this hyper connection to increase the number of payment methods available. He wants a generalization of contactless payment. The first prototypes designed (key rings, bracelets fitness, etc.) were announced at the end of October during the Money2020 show in Las Vegas.

His program will take shape from early 2016 in the US with the support of major partners such as the designer Adam Selman or General Motors who strongly believe in this project and to equip their expensive clothes and cars with the Mastercard technology. These new connected objects will build on the MDES technology (digital enablement services Mastercard) that can scan a card issued by Mastercard and validate the payment using a short-term tokenization system. They will actually be sold in the second half 2016, still in the US.

The chip connects by Bluetooth to a dedicated application of its smartphone. Just place the object that contains over a payment reader. At the security level, Mastercard brought in players like Qualcomm and NXP to supply secure chips and avoid fraud. Express and Capital One system will identify users and each support, in real time.

According to the index of Ayden mobile payments, online payments via the mobile represent no less than 20.2% of all transactions, a figure constantly increasing (+ 66% in one year).

What seems to be very encouraging in terms of consumer adoption of new payment methods. But the mobile seems more popular than the connected watch, for example, which is struggling to find followers. We are entitled to ask whether this initiative Mastercard fails too early and whether it will be readily adopted by consumers, still very attached to their credit/debit card or wallets… One of the most important issues for Mastercard on this project will undoubtedly communication.